Imagine the year is 1940. Winston Churchill is Prime Minister. Britain is at war and food is being rationed. That's more than 70 years ago, but a group of school-children have spent five days living life as evacuees in World War Two.

The finalists for the Cat of the Year Award have been announced, and two of the brave felines come from our region.

Alfie, from Hartlepool, has been nominated for the Best Friend Award for his constant companionship to owner Bethany Groom. Bethany has been forced to spend long periods at home as she lives with an autoimmune disease.

The second nominee is Charley, from Haltwhistle, who is in the running for a Hero Award after being put forward by her diabetic owner Susan Marsh-Armstrong. Charley ran for help when Susan collapsed in a hypoglycaemic attack that could have been fatal.